The first step of many

"I would recommend that anyone who is interested in cross-cultural mission avail themselves of a short term opportunity like this, simply to get your bearings on what life and mission is like elsewhere."
I arrived in Portugal in July 2021, so as I write this I have been here almost a year. My connection with Portugal began in 2018 when I did a month-long placement in a medium sized city called Vila Real in the north of the country. Since 2018 the Lord has given me an increased desire to serve in Portugal. This led me to start a short term placement with ECM last year and God willing I will begin a three year mission with ECM in the same area of Portugal this September.
My short term experience has been very positive. I have been learning Portuguese, immersing myself in Portuguese culture as well as serving with different churches, children's ministries and music ministry. My short term mission has been very beneficial in helping me to adapt to Portuguese culture. It has given me enough time to get comfortable with Portugal before committing to longer term service.
I would recommend that anyone who is interested in cross-cultural mission avail themselves of a short term opportunity like this, simply to get your bearings on what life and mission is like elsewhere.
Shane McGloin, a Northern Irish Short-Termer in Portugal
Stories from Europe > 2022
December
- 22/12/22 10:48 - A New Hope for Ukraine
- 09/12/22 17:04 - Volunteer Centres: showing Christ's love
- 01/12/22 15:12 - Houses for Ukraine
November
- 23/11/22 15:16 - From football... to Christ
- 15/11/22 13:20 - Short Term Gain
- 11/11/22 12:53 - Caring for Ukrainians in Croatia
October
- 25/10/22 14:03 - ECM Prayer Days in Spain
- 18/10/22 12:04 - 14 days of helping refugees
- 11/10/22 12:02 - God is good at all times
September
- 22/09/22 12:18 - Standing Together with Ukraine
- 15/09/22 13:47 - A true life changing experience
- 08/09/22 11:26 - Equipping the next generation
August
July
- 26/07/22 11:56 - News from Ukraine
- 22/07/22 09:10 - A missionary experience in Spain
- 21/07/22 11:53 - The story of Evgen & Diana
- 14/07/22 11:44 - The ministry of ECMers in Lviv, Ukraine
- 07/07/22 11:33 - "Our children and teenagers haven’t had so much laughter and fun since we left our homes in Ukraine"
- 01/07/22 11:28 - Bringing hope to where it's needed the most
June
- 23/06/22 10:07 - Trusting God at all times
- 14/06/22 09:25 - Christian leaders come together to help Ukrainian refugees
- 11/06/22 11:09 - Life in Ukraine
May
- 31/05/22 17:35 - With small acts of love
- 27/05/22 13:35 - "The worst and the best of humanity"
- 24/05/22 14:22 - Tanya's Story
- 18/05/22 15:23 - From Kiev to Zagrev
- 01/05/22 15:42 - A minibus for Lviv
April
- 26/04/22 11:46 - "There is no way we can get used to the War..."
- 22/04/22 11:31 - A return to Irpin
- 12/04/22 10:00 - The job is too big for one alone...
- 06/04/22 09:47 - Hosting Ukrainian refugees
- 02/04/22 10:13 - A journey into Ukraine: what does it look like?
March
- 28/03/22 14:27 - Shining light into the darkness
- 26/03/22 09:21 - "The aid was a significant relief for our teams..."
- 23/03/22 12:51 - Serving the children in the war
- 22/03/22 12:55 - Through your prayers...
- 21/03/22 12:11 - Praise God for his provision!
- 08/03/22 08:42 - On the ground in Ukraine
February
- 24/02/22 19:25 - ECM Update on the Ukraine Crisis
- 15/02/22 12:55 - Who are we and what we do as a mission?
- 08/02/22 10:27 - Come and help us!